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Start with the ferry to Devonport →
BESIDE THE RUBICON ESTUARY
The hardest decision here is which beach.
Port Sorell Tasmania is a small coastal village around 20 minutes east of Devonport. Together with neighbouring Shearwater and Hawley Beach, it forms a compact holiday area with sheltered water and long stretches of coast.
Days here tend to follow the tide. Walk beside Panatana Rivulet, head to Hawley Beach or launch onto the estuary. Shearwater has everyday services, and accommodation across the peninsula makes staying longer easy.
Beyond the villages, Ghost Rock is great for a long lunch with local wine. Narawntapu National Park is reached by road around the estuary, with longer walks and wildlife at Springlawn.
Port Sorell sits beside the estuary and jetty. A few minutes away, Shearwater is the area’s service centre, with a supermarket, fuel and places to eat. Continue around the peninsula to Hawley Beach, where sandy coves and rocky points shape the coastline. Freers Beach lies between Hawley and Shearwater. The three communities sit close together and are best treated as one coastal area. Pick a central base and move between the beaches and walking paths without planning separate day trips.
Follow the foreshore from Port Sorell and cross the footbridge over Panatana Rivulet. The landscape…Follow the foreshore from Port Sorell and cross the footbridge over Panatana Rivulet. The landscape changes with the tide. At low water, sandflats and channels become visible around the estuary, while the higher tide brings water close to the boardwalk.
The coast curves around small beaches and rocky points, with views across the water towards…The coast curves around small beaches and rocky points, with views across the water towards Narawntapu National Park. Continue towards Freers Beach for another easy stretch of sand close to Shearwater. Swimming conditions vary and the beaches are not always patrolled. Check local conditions before entering the water.
FISHING AND BOATING
Port Sorell has a dual boat ramp and fishing pontoon close to the caravan park.…Port Sorell has a dual boat ramp and fishing pontoon close to the caravan park. Launch a boat or cast a line from the shore, keeping in mind that the estuary changes significantly with the tide. Sandbanks and shallow channels can emerge as the water falls.
Ghost Rock sits among the vineyards at Northdown, a short drive from Port Sorell. The cellar door looks across the vines towards Bass Strait and has guided tastings of estate-grown cool-climate wines.
Stay for lunch at the eatery or book a tasting before continuing to the coast. The menu changes with the season and bookings are recommended during busy periods.
Visitors who want to stay among the vines can book the onsite Vineyard House.
Narawntapu from Port Sorell
Narawntapu National Park lies across the estuary from Port Sorell, but the main entrance at Springlawn is reached by road. Allow around 30 minutes for the drive via Frankford Road and Bakers Beach Road. Springlawn is the best place to begin. The visitor centre and picnic facilities are here, with several walks leaving from the surrounding area. A valid Tasmania Parks Pass is required.
30 MINUTES
The two-kilometre return track begins near the Springlawn Visitor Centre and follows a formed path…The two-kilometre return track begins near the Springlawn Visitor Centre and follows a formed path through paperbark forest. The bird hide overlooks the lagoon and provides a short introduction to the park. The Grade 1 track is generally accessible with assistance.
AROUND TWO HOURS
This 4.8-kilometre circuit travels around the lagoon before returning through coastal vegetation and forested boardwalks.…This 4.8-kilometre circuit travels around the lagoon before returning through coastal vegetation and forested boardwalks. The open grasslands are a good place to see Forester kangaroos, particularly towards dusk.
HALF-DAY WALK
The climb to Archers Knob ends with views across Springlawn and Bakers Beach. Allow two…The climb to Archers Knob ends with views across Springlawn and Bakers Beach. Allow two to two-and-a-half hours for the shorter return walk. The nine-kilometre circuit via Bakers Beach takes around three to three-and-a-half hours.
Stay inside Narawntapu National Park
If one day isn’t enough, you can camp inside Narawntapu instead of returning to Port Sorell.
Springlawn has powered sites close to the visitor centre. Unpowered camping is available elsewhere in the park, including Bakers Point and Koybaa. Facilities and access differ, so choose a campground that suits your vehicle and preferred level of comfort.
A valid parks pass and camping fees apply. Booking arrangements can change, so check availability through Tasmania Parks and Wildlife before travelling.
How long should you spend in Port Sorell?
Walk beside Panatana Rivulet or spend time around Hawley Beach.
If you’ve booked ahead, make Ghost Rock the focus of your visit and allow time for lunch.
Walk the local coast in the morning before settling in for lunch at Ghost Rock.
If Narawntapu is your priority, give the national park most of the day rather than trying to combine it with every Port Sorell stop.
Use Port Sorell as your base and keep the local coast for your arrival day.
Spend the following day walking in Narawntapu, then return to your accommodation without needing to move between overnight stops.
Port Sorell and the surrounding villages have a good range of self-contained accommodation. Choose a holiday property near Hawley Beach or stay closer to the estuary and services around Port Sorell. Port Sorell Caravan Park sits on the waterfront near the jetty. There are also smaller retreats and established properties around Hawley Beach, and Ghost Rock has accommodation among its vines. This is a popular summer holiday area, so book ahead during school holidays and long weekends.
Find accommodation around Port SorellPort Sorell Caravan Park has powered and unpowered sites beside the estuary. The park is close to the jetty and within a short drive of Shearwater’s services.
Staying in Port Sorell means you can leave your touring vehicle set up while you walk Hawley Beach or visit Ghost Rock. There’s a public RV dump point nearby in Darling Street.
For a more nature-based stay, continue to Narawntapu National Park. Springlawn has powered sites, while unpowered camping is available in other parts of the park. A parks pass and camping fees apply.
The area
Plot your way around Port Sorell and the Rubicon - pin by pin. Filter the map by where to stay, what to see and where to eat.
A vehicle is the easiest way to move between Port Sorell, Hawley Beach and Narawntapu. Public transport is limited.
Reserve ahead if you plan to include a tasting or lunch, particularly during summer.
Shearwater has a supermarket and fuel. Restock here before driving into Narawntapu.
Animals are active around dusk. Slow down when driving through Narawntapu and on surrounding country roads.
Yes. Port Sorell is a quiet coastal base close to Hawley Beach, Ghost Rock and Narawntapu National Park. It’s great for visitors looking for self-contained accommodation or a caravan stay beside the water.
Port Sorell sits beside the estuary and jetty. Shearwater contains most of the area’s everyday services, while Hawley Beach is the main coastal holiday area. They are only a few minutes apart.
Port Sorell is approximately 20 kilometres east of Devonport. The drive generally takes around 20 minutes.
Allow a few hours for the local coast or stay for two nights if you also want to visit Ghost Rock and Narawntapu National Park.
Possible, but not easy. Public transport is limited and a vehicle is recommended for reaching Hawley Beach, Ghost Rock and Narawntapu.
The main Springlawn entrance is around a 30-minute drive from Port Sorell. Although the park is visible across the estuary, there is no direct road crossing.
Yes. A valid Tasmania Parks Pass is required to enter Narawntapu National Park.
Yes. Narawntapu has powered camping at Springlawn and several unpowered campgrounds. Fees apply and booking arrangements should be checked before travelling.
Yes. Port Sorell Caravan Park has powered and unpowered sites beside the estuary.
Yes. A public RV dump point is located in Darling Street, near Port Sorell Caravan Park.
Yes, when conditions are suitable. Beaches may be unpatrolled, so take particular care near river mouths and when the tide is moving quickly.
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